Chapter 141: Lack of a Hostess

Today, Yu Xiangnian went to the post office to mail the translated manuscript.

While waiting in line at the window, she saw the same staff member who had helped her with remittances and telegrams, arranged by Yang Wanli last time.

This time, the staff member was very courteous in helping her with her business, and they exchanged a few pleasantries.

After sending out the manuscript, Yu Xiangnian was about to leave when she ran into Yang Wanli rushing in.

“Comrade Yu, you’re just in time!” Yang Wanli said anxiously. “I have some urgent documents that need translating, and I can’t find anyone to do it. Could you help me?”

Yu Xiangnian still owed Yang Wanli a favor and thought this was a perfect opportunity to repay him, so she agreed without hesitation.

Yang Wanli took Yu Xiangnian to his office.

He took a set of documents out of his drawer and handed them to her; they were all in English.

“We received these just yesterday. No one can understand them, and I was worried about where to find a translator. Then I saw you!” Yang Wanli said.

Yu Xiangnian took the documents and sat down at the desk to start translating seriously.

Yang Wanli sat at his own desk not far away. With just a turn of his head, he could see Yu Xiangnian.

He had prepared these documents a few days ago with the intention of finding an excuse to get closer to her. He didn’t expect the opportunity to present itself so soon.

Watching her focused expression brought a look of delight to his face.

He was amazed the first time he saw Yu Xiangnian.

He had never seen a woman as beautiful as her, with delicate features and a curvy figure.

Her skin was as smooth as a peeled egg, and her almond-shaped eyes were full of charm and spirit.

She had her head slightly lowered now, so he couldn’t see the expression on her face, only her thick, curly eyelashes and lightly pursed red lips.

Yang Wanli’s gaze swept over her from head to toe, finally resting on her long, slender, fair hands.

Those hands were delicate and smooth, with pinkish nails, clearly not used to doing household chores.

If she married him, she would have to do some housework.

Washing clothes, cooking, and raising children were tasks meant for women.

Yu Xiangnian kept her eyes on the documents, her hands constantly writing, without noticing Yang Wanli’s expression.

It took her two hours to finish the translation.

When she looked at her watch, she saw it was past working hours.

Remembering that Xiao Jie was waiting for her at home, she quickly handed the translated papers to Yang Wanli.

“Director Yang, please review this. If there’s anything incorrect, I’ll make the changes.”

Yang Wanli hid his thoughts and seriously reviewed the translated documents.

Previously, he had only heard that Yu Xiangnian could translate. Now, seeing her work firsthand, he admired her even more.

Such a talented and beautiful woman was surely pursued by many, and he had to act quickly.

After reading through, he nodded with satisfaction. “Comrade Yu, this translation is excellent. Thank you so much.”

“You’re welcome. It’s mutual assistance.” Yu Xiangnian stood up to leave. “Director Yang, if there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”

Yang Wanli quickly stood up to stop her. “Comrade Yu, you’ve spent your whole morning on this. It’s past lunchtime. Let’s have a simple meal.”

Yu Xiangnian declined repeatedly. “No need, Director Yang. It was just a small task. Please don’t trouble yourself.”

“What’s a small task to you is a big help to me. In this city, it’s hard to find someone who can translate.”

As he spoke, Yang Wanli had already grabbed his bag and keys. “I know you have a child at home. Let’s do as last time and bring some food back for him.”

“Director Yang, really, it’s not necessary. My child is waiting for me at home,” Yu Xiangnian said, a bit helpless in the face of his enthusiasm.

Yang Wanli, not allowing her to refuse, made a gesture of invitation, and they walked out of the office one after the other.

“Comrade Yu, if I need your help next time and you don’t accept this meal, it’ll put me in a difficult position!”

“A simple meal won’t take too long. You can go home right after we eat!”

Yang Wanli didn’t give Yu Xiangnian another chance to refuse. “You rode your bike here, right? I’ll get mine too. Let’s go to the state-run restaurant to save time.”

So, the two of them had a second meal together.

This time, there was no third person present, and Yang Wanli kept chatting with Yu Xiangnian the whole time.

“Comrade Yu, last time we went clamming, Qiu Yue had a great time. How about we take the kids and go again this Sunday?”

Yu Xiangnian knew Xiao Jie didn’t like Yang Wanli, so she naturally wouldn’t agree. She swallowed her food slowly. “I have other plans this Sunday, so I can’t go.”

Yang Wanli was a bit disappointed. “Oh, then we can reschedule.”

After a pause, he added, “I heard you studied abroad, Comrade Yu?”

Yu Xiangnian answered honestly, “No, it was a friend who studied abroad, and I just stayed there for a while.”

“Then you’ve certainly seen a lot. With your foreign language skills, there’s no room to showcase your talent in a place like Nancheng.”

Yang Wanli wanted to show his sincerity. “The post office will be hiring a batch of workers in a few months. If you’re interested, I can help get you a job there.”

In this era, becoming a worker was many people’s dream.

Yang Wanli was confident that Yu Xiangnian would be overjoyed and thank him.

However, Yu Xiangnian didn’t even look at him. Her eyes were on the food, and she refused immediately, “No need.”

Yang Wanli was stunned for a moment, thinking she had some concerns.

He added, “Comrade Yu, don’t worry about anything. Leave it to me. You just wait for the notice at home, and you can start working then!”

Yu Xiangnian said expressionlessly, “I don’t want to work.”

Yang Wanli: “…”

After a moment’s thought, he said, “The country encourages women to contribute to society. You’re a rare talent…”

Yu Xiangnian was getting a bit impatient. Whether she worked or not wasn’t Yang Wanli’s business!

She interrupted him, “Director Yang, thank you for your kindness, but I really don’t want to work!”

The atmosphere was silent for a few seconds. Yang Wanli awkwardly smiled and said, “Comrade Yu, I heard your husband went on a mission and has been missing for more than two months.”

Upon hearing this, Yu Xiangnian’s eyelids twitched. She glanced at him and said indifferently, “Director Yang, you’re well-informed.”

Even military matters, he knew!

Yang Wanli, feeling pleased with himself, said, “Our postal workers are out and about all day. We hear bits and pieces from various departments.”

Yu Xiangnian didn’t want to continue the conversation and focused on eating her meal.

Seeing her silent, Yang Wanli thought she was sad about her missing husband.

He started to comfort her, “Comrade Yu, you’re still young, and there’s a long road ahead. The current difficulties and hardships will pass, and we must look forward!”

Yu Xiangnian thought to herself: Why is he telling me this?

Yang Wanli continued, “Like me, five years ago, my wife passed away due to illness, leaving me and our five-year-old child. I was devastated, wishing it had been me instead. But I had parents and a child who needed me. They kept me going.”

“In these five years, I’ve been both father and mother, raising Qiu Yue. Although we’ve managed, our home isn’t complete without a woman.”

Yu Xiangnian was so startled by this that she accidentally bit her tongue.